MY SOMALI BOOK 



257 



attempt to control the interior of the Protectorate 

 with a small local levy ? I think that if what was 

 going on had been common knowledge, there are few 

 men who know Somaliland but would have predicted 

 such a disaster as has taken place as the inevitable 

 result of the half-hearted manner in which the policy 

 of Government has been carried out. It is upon 

 Government, who must have been aware of what was 

 being done, and not upon the local authorities that 

 the blame must rest. 



That there has hitherto been an}^ danger to Berbera 

 I still do not believe ; but with the loss to our prestige 

 occasioned by this last disaster one can no longer 

 feel so sure, unless the garrison of Berbera be ade- 

 quately and permanently increased. The retirement 

 policy has proved a failure, and the time seems to 

 have come when the fact must be recognised. This 

 is not the place, nor have I sufficient knowledge of 

 the subject or of present conditions in Somaliland, to 

 offer suggestions. 



S 



